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March 18, 2011 — A program designed to encourage a higher level of excellence
in the quality of instruction for students is being made available to Wyoming
school districts through the John P. Ellbogen Foundation.

The Ellbogen Meritorious School Award program is for Wyoming
school district personnel, according to Mary Garland, president of the John P.
Ellbogen Foundation.

Garland and the foundation's board have committed for the
next six years the resources necessary to provide the professional development
and financial support for district leaders and teachers to continue their
efforts to enhance quality teaching, not only in individual classrooms, but
also on a building-wide basis.

"We must continue to grow the number of National Board
Certified Teachers to a critical mass to see the true impact of this work,"
says Garland. "We believe that this is the right thing for Wyoming teachers
and, more importantly, students. The
students are the ultimate beneficiaries."

The new program identifies two options for schools. The
first is for 20 percent of the certified professionals in a school building to
become National Board Certified. The second is for the principal and a minimum
of 80 percent of the building's teachers to engage in a professional learning
community with the Take One! assessment from the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards.

In addition to the improved quality of teaching for
students, schools will receive public recognition as an Ellbogen Meritorious
School plus a cash incentive. The Ellbogen Foundation also will provide a
permanent display of the school's achievement for the exterior of the building.

John P. "Jack" Ellbogen, the foundation's benefactor, had two great passions in his life, Garland says. One was his
beloved state of Wyoming and the other was his commitment to quality education.

For the last six years, his children have honored his wishes
and the Ellbogen Foundation has become a leader in the state for investing in
education for the entire span of a child's life -- from their earliest years
through graduation from the University of Wyoming.